Nelson Takkiruq

Canadian, 1930–1999

Double Shaman Drum Dancer, 1989

whale bone, stone

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Takkiruq is a member of a family of talented sculptors that includes brothers Judas Ullulaq, Charlie Ugyuk, Joata Suqslak, and Stephen Aqqaq. He began creating small carvings in the early 1950s at the prompting of Oblate missionary Father Henry. When a government craft shop was opened in Gjoa Haven in the early 1970s, Takkiruq began carving on an ongoing basis. He used aged whale bone for this expressive drum dancer, which displays a face on each side. In pre-Christian times, the Inuit shaman would often begin a camp seance with a trance-inducing drum dance. More secular purposes are now in effect as drum dancing is a popular form of entertainment in Gjoa Haven today.